Real Money

Options in Motion: Amgen

ETFs and index options are also active.

Option trading was concentrated in the ETFs and index options on Thursday as traders tried to catch a move in the broader market.

The iShares Russell 2000 Index ( IWM) had heavy activity in its put options. The October 64 puts have traded 7,500 times, and the October 65 puts have traded 21,000 times. The November 64 puts have traded 17,700 times, and the November 65 puts have traded 20,000 times. The ETF was up 13 cents to $64.23.

The Energy Select Sector SPDR ( XLE) had the November 52 puts trade 9,900 times and the December 50 puts trade 32,200 contracts. The ETF was down 41 cents to $49.21.

The S&P Depositary Receipts ( SPY) had the October 123 puts trade 13,600 contracts, and the October 121 puts traded 34,500 times. The ETF was up 17 cents to $119.80

Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ) had sellers of calls and buyers of puts as the stock traded lower. The October 65 calls have traded 10,400 times, while the October 60 puts have traded 8,100 contracts. On the November 60 calls, 8,300 contracts traded. The November 60 puts have traded 29,800 times. The stock was down 77 cents, or 1.2%, to $61.48.

Amgen ( AMGN) had call sellers on the stock's weakness. The October 80 calls have traded 14,000 times and were down 60 cents on the day. The October 85 calls have traded 5,900 contracts and the November 80 calls have traded 3,600 times. Amgen shares were lower by $2.14, or 2.7%, to $75.87.

The decline in oil brought out put buyers and call sellers in Valero Energy ( VLO). The October 105 calls have traded 10,600 contracts, while the October 110 calls have traded 7,200 times. The October 105 puts traded 6,600 times, and the October 100 puts were swapped 4,500 times.

The CBOE Market Volatility Index (VIX), which is based on the implied volatility of the S&P 500 options and is used as a gauge for fear in the market, was recently down 1.3% to 14.37. The CBOE Nasdaq Volatility Index, a measure of the implied volatility of the Nasdaq 100, was recently up 2% to 16.18.